DMW to send fact-finding team to probe Italy recruitment scam

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is set to deploy a fact-finding team that will investigate allegations of massive fraud and illegal recruitment by two firms in Italy that supposedly victimized dozens of Filipinos.

DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said the mission will interview overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who fell victim to Golden Power SRLS and provide support to the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Philippine Consulate General in Milan against Alpha Assistenza.

At least 33 victims lost as much as P39 million to the two illegal recruitment agencies, according to Consul General Elmer Cato.

“We cannot allow these individuals and companies to get away with their nefarious activities. We urge other victims to come to us so we can help them document and file their cases,” said Cacdac.

Initial reports showed the firms target OFWs based in Italy and offer them non-existent jobs for their unemployed relatives in the Philippines. They would then convince the victims they would help their unemployed relatives get work permits in Italy in exchange for expensive processing fees.

Golden Power SRLS allegedly asks for placement fees ranging from €1,500 to as much as €4,000 (P90,000 to P240,000) while Alpha Assistenza supposedly charges €2,000 to €3,500 (about P120,000 to P210,000).

A total of 68 victims have filed complaints against the firms, their owners, and representatives before the Department of Justice, the DMW said.

Cacdac called on other victims to come forward and reach out to the DMW through the Facebook page of the Migrant Workers Protection Bureau, via email at mwpb@dmw.gov.ph and through hotline number +63 2 8721-0619. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News